Thursday, May 21, 2009
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This may sound a little like big brother, but if the city is owed water bill payments they should get it, otherwise the rest of us are subsidizing the operation. (except the fines imposed during the short draconian period) Patrick's problem with it being brought up just before, or during a City Commission meeting, seems like minor process issue. Frankly it would be nice if elected officials threw out proposals or ideas more at the regular meeting (for discussion).
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9 comments:
In fact, the agenda (or at least when I served) always ended with miscellaneous matters. This was the time that council members could suggest matters for future agenda action. It was nto typically used to address a voting matter. That we preclude citizen (and media) notification of Council proposed actions and circumvent citizen input.
It was once considered appropriate to present new topics for discussion in the miscellaneous matters. It is in poor taste to use miscellaneous to blind side co-council members or to ambush city staff. But bringing up new matters or ideas was the purpose of miscellaneous.
It's been so long since I tracked the Council so I don't even know if they yet have that item on the agenda.
The council has all but completely abandoned any semblance of order or protocol. The meetings are jokes.
It is disappointing if that is true or if observers feel that way.
Folks have hammered the elected officials for so amny years about the pereception of having the outcomes of an agenda set by the City Manager to the point that the elected folks are reluctant to engage the professional leadership of the City Manager.
He is the constant that makes the meetings work. They need to listen to him and allow him to set order to the proceedings.
Maybe this is the crew that can remain in office long enough to give regain public confidence in the process. It is a good process, tested true in thousands of US cities and around the world.
How about it. Let's keep the same five commissioners through 2015.
They CAN'T be any worse than the last! Hopefully A LOT better and more eager to listen and forget about their personal agendas and claims to fame!
Hopefully also and soon, someone of significance will look into some of the city departments and the discontent that has been created there BY the CITY, and their being forbidden of being able to have any voice or comment in ANY matter for fear of retaliation and disciplinary measures. It's BAD when asked by a commisioner who seeks a workers opinion on how things are going, that they CAN'T tell, or even comment on ANYTHING by policy! What are the city heads afraid of? Why does it have to be such a hostile work environment for fear of repercussions for these guys and gals? Pull one aside and talk to them alone and in confidence, and you'll hear some horrifying things that have gone on since the first of the year!
I've visited with several of the departments who are almost in mutiny and it's sad that they have nobody they can go to but themselves!
If our internal structure falls apart in this city, meaning water, fire, police, etc, then what do you have left?
Somebody needs to check into these departments and hear the whole stories before it's too late!
Charles I usually agree with you - but Mel and Dotty must go away after the next election. Must!
Let's just think about continuity. Maybe another disussion topic. Lets make a list of names of organizations that change top leadership every two years or so and still remain effective.
At least do this. Be real diligent about choices for the office and try to pick someone you can support from the bad times and into the better times.
Maybe even hold a "pre-candidate" forum where a the voting constituency defines their vision so that we wind up with a candidate(s) who already has a notion of the community direction.
You know, there is no law that requires the voters to wait and see who wants to run. We could own our future by being proactive about candidates and leaders.
I gave you a newer topic and like everyone else, nobody wants to go there or look into it and the impropriaties that are happening!
BTW: This is David Allen's blog so it would be up to him to start a new discussion thread.
The City is an employer and an organization. The matters of employees are somewhat protected from access by the general public.
However, the City Commission is not restricted in its authority. While they only have one employee, City Manager, they can evaluate how well the CM runs the business affairs of the City including moral and equity.
I did not see that as one of the fourteen goals of this governing body. I admit, since my heightened awareness of things at City Hall, governing body members have come and gone. Many pledge new projects or tighter fiscal controls. It typically does not come up during campaigning or serving regarding the treatment of the city staff.
They have tried to make things better with the addition of a Human Resources Director. Unfortunately, that position is not viewed as equal to the departmental heads.
Therefore, the director is more like an HR clerk. Each department still has its own unique policies and practices. It does feed (although not necessarily validating) the feeling of disparate treatment.
I revisit my earlier postulate. Things might become a bit less stressed with less flux in elected and non-elected leadership. Let's not forget that, along with the continuum of elected rotation, has come a high turnover with the lone employee of the governing body.
STATISTICS: (subject to correction)
I think McDonald is the only one to get re-elected since 2003 to a four year term. Rice won a two year seat. Along with that was two new City Managers, a new city Attorney, new Director of Public works, new Director of Administration, new Fire Chief and two new Police Chiefs. (and oh yeah the HR Dir.) That's 10 new electeds and 9 new departmental leadership changes in 6 years.
Think folks maybe should expect a bit of turmoil? We need to settle down on the people changes inside City Hall, folks.
My appollogies to Dave, as you are correct in that this is his blog and the topics of his choice! I shouldn't have voiced in on that topic or irritation!
Yes, Charles, you are correct and I wish you were still there to coice some matters to, as I always felt you were fair and consistent in your choices and matters before you. Much more so than what we are dealing with now!
The HR position is one I see is out of necessity under todays standards and federal policies. However, it has made things a lot more complicated and confusing. Nothing I'm sure everyone can't adjust to.
However, the impropriaties and lack of attention to certain department heads and their policies and self agendas, is something that the CM and his employer CC, should pull their heads out of the sand like ostriches, and look at closer!!! As it sits, the department heads don't HAVE to make the workers happy or content, just the CM who has to please the CC. The workers have no voice or opinion or a chain to go up! I believe this is called socialism in some countries, where you are threatened if you talk to someone above your paygrade or status! Last I knew, we lived in America and the 1st ammendment protected that freedom!!!
Again Dave, my appologies!
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